The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today announced its legislative priorities for 2011-2012.  These priorities were developed by the Chamber’s policy committees with input from over 300 business leaders from across the state and approved on January 26, 2011 by the Michigan Chamber’s 84-member Board of Directors.

“Now is the time for bold and decisive action in Lansing to restore Michigan’s economic strength,” said Jeff Ammon, Michigan Chamber Board Chair and attorney with Miller Johnson, Grand Rapids. “The Chamber strongly agrees with Governor Snyder that we must reinvent Michigan. Over the next 18 months, the Chamber will champion proposals to create more and better jobs, reform Michigan’s tax structure and fix broken government.”

“The Michigan Chamber represents approximately 6,800 job providers throughout the state who are strongly committed to moving Michigan forward by advancing this agenda to restore our state’s economic strength,” said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley.

“Our strategic goal for the 2011-2012 legislative session is to work closely with lawmakers to make Michigan one of the top 10 states in the country for job creation and business growth,” noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President of Business Advocacy & Associate General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber.

The Michigan Chamber’s 2011-2012 legislative priorities target these eight high-priority issue areas:

• Strengthening Agriculture
• Improving Michigan’s Regulatory Climate
• Protecting the Great Lakes and Private Property Rights
• Promoting Affordable Health Care
• Safeguarding Employer Rights in the Workplace
• Fighting Lawsuit Abuse
• Reforming Michigan’s Tax System
• Encouraging Transportation Investment

Prior to the August 2012 primary election, the Chamber will publish its 2011-2012 Legislative Voting Record: A Competitiveness Scorecard for Michigan. This publication will provide detailed information regarding the voting record of every State Senator and State Representative on these priorities and other key economic issues that emerge.

The Michigan Chamber’s 2011-2012 legislative priorities are available on the Michigan Chamber’s website at www.michamber.com/2011-12-legislative-priorities.

The Michigan Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC) is one of the most effective political action programs in the nation. Ranked 19^th among Michigan’s top 150 PACs, the Michigan Chamber PAC is a leader and the voice of business. It is also one of the largest state chamber PACs in the country. In the November 2010 General Election, the Michigan Chamber endorsed 112 candidates; 94 percent won on Election Day.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,800 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. The Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan’s job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only four state chambers of commerce in the nation accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.